Floating constant contact seal for operable partitions

ABSTRACT

A floating seal arrangement for operable panel partitions adapted to serve as the floor and ceiling seals therefor in which the top and bottom frame members of each panel comprise a channel shaped member oriented to have its respective flange portions projecting outwardly of the panel in the plane of same, with each channel member being equipped with a seal strip applied across the space between the respective frame member flange portions providing a floating constant contact type seal, with each strip including a pair of guiding flaps that are in sliding relation with the inside surfaces of the respective frame member flange portions, for guiding adjustment of the seal strips relative to the panel in accommodating surface variations.

[451 Sept. 4, 1973 United States Patent m1 Williams FLOATING CONSTANT CONTACT SEAL FOR OPERABLE PARTITIONS Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Mlachado Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan [75] Inventor: Charles E. Williams, .lanesville, WIS. AttorneyflRoben C. Brown, Jr. at a].

[57] ABSTRACT A floating seal arrangement for operable panel parti- [73] Assignee: Bough Manufacturing Corporation,

Janesville, Wis.

Jan. 20, 1972 22 Filed:

Appl. No.: 219,256

plied across the space between the respective frame 9 2 ooMfloo 4074 wrD a 4 6% 9 4 7 E 9 UMUW 9 4 4 u 4 8 m 8 u 4 u a v 9 "m 4 mu m mhu c H .r u .8 u u .I.. C In S (8 I n. U IF .1] 2 8 5 55 IL .lZl.

member flange portions providing; a floating constant contact type seal, with each strip including a pair of [56] References Cited guiding flaps that are in sliding relation with the inside UNITED STATES PATENTS surfaces of the respective frame member flange portions, for guiding adjustment of the seal strips relative 49/489 X 49/488 X to the panel in accommodating surface variations.

160/199 8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Malone,

Holloway.................,..........

R 789 666 999 ll] 336 PATENTEDsEP 4 ma SHEU 5 OF 5 .IIIIIII I.

FLOATING CONSTANT CONTACT SEAL FOR OPERABLE PARTITIONS This invention relates to a sealing arrangement for operable panel type partitions, and more particularly to operable panel partitions of the type shown in Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185, in which the panels are suspended by roller type carrier units from an overhead track.

conventionally, seal arrangements for panels of this type are in the form of mechanically extended and retracted seal members which move between extended and retracted positions under the control of a suitable hand operated control mechanism that is built into each panel. So-called sweep strips, which are frequently used on folding partition arrangements, are seals of the constant contact type which are constantly in contact with the ceiling and floor surfaces to be sealed, and involve no mechanical actuating mechanism as they ordinarily do not move out of their seal functioning positions. An example of this type of seal is shown in Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,147.

While mechanically operated seals provide for some adjustability to accommodate variations in ceiling and floor surfaces to be sealed, the partition panels to which they are applied ordinarily cannot be moved without releasing their seals. Sweep seals permit ready movement of the partition of which they are a part, but ordinarily cant accommodate much variation in the configuration of the floor and ceiling surfaces to be sealed, and do not provide as an effective sealing action as mechanical seals.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a floating seal arrangement for operable panel partitions and the like that is of the constant contact type, and eliminates the need for extending and retracting mechanisms while permitting the panel partition to which it is applied to have an acoustical rating that is comparable to those equipped with mechanically retractable seals.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a floating seal arrangement for operable panel partitions and the like which maintains uniform contact with the floor or ceiling surfaces contacted regardless of surface variations present within the panel of movement of the panel because of the type of surfacing encountered.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a constant contact type floating seal for operable panel partitions that has sufficient built in bias against the surface being sealed to efiect an efficient sound seal without being subjected to twisting or undue drag on movement of the panel.

Yet other objects of the invention are to provide a panel arrangement for operable panel partitions that is of simplified construction, to provide a jamb panel anchoring friction grip shoe arrangement for jamb panel utilizing the floating seal of this invention, and to provide an operable panel partition arrangement and floating seal therefor that are economical of manufacture, convenient to install and use, a long lived in operation.

In accordance with this invention, partition panels of the type shown in Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185 have their upper and lower frame members provided with a constant contact seal strip, of extruded or molded vinyl or the like, in place of the mechanical expansion seals there illustrated, with the seal strip of this invention in the case of the individual panel respective upper and lower frame members (which are of channel shaped cross-sectional configuration) being applied between the flange portions of same in an outwardly arced manner for contact with the floor and ceiling surfaces to be engaged. The seal strip has protuberant edge portions along its longitudinally extending sides that are received in slots formed in the channel member respective flange portions that are generally complemental in cross section to the section of the respective strip edge portions. The seal strip mid portion is resiliently flexible in nature, and along the side of same facing the frame member to which the strip is attached, the strip includes a pair of guide strips or flaps that are biased against and slidably engage the inside surfaces of the respective frame member flange portions that are adjacent same. The mid portion of the seal strip, which arcs outwardly of the frame member to which it is attached, adjusts automatically inwardly or outwardly of the frame member it is attached to in accommodating surface variations the panel may swing over as installed, such as adjacent carpeted ancl tile floors.

Yet other objects, uses, and advantages will be obvious or become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the application drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is an elevational view of one embodiment of the invention showing an operable partition arrangement with a pass door, and with the panels and door in their closed or partition forming positions;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a fragmental transverse cross-sectional view of one of the panel top frame :members, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows the invention applied to an alternate type trackway mounting arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a typical layout of the center stack operable partition arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 3, with the panels of same shown largely in block diagram form;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic transverse crosssectional views similar to the lower end of FIGS. 2 and 3, illustrating the manner in which the floating seal of this invention automatically adjusts to accommodate floor surface variations;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3, illustrating the invention applied to a side stack operable partition arrangement;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan layout of a typical side stack operable partition arrangement, with the panels of same shown largely in block diagram form;

FIG. 10 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating the specifics of the floating seal of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the pass door of FIG. I equipped with the floating seal of the present invention as well as a friction grip arrangement for anchoring the jam b panel against the floor surface, with the grip arrangement shown in operative extended relation; I

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11 showing the way in which the jamb panel grip arrangement is released; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmental elevational view showing the handle for the jamb panel grip arrangement as stored, in the released position of the latter.

However, it is to be distinctly understood that the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of the Patent Code, and that the invention is susceptible of other embodiments that will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

GENIERAL DESCRIPTION Reference numeral of FIG. 1 generally indicates an operable partition arrangement equipped with the present invention, and comprising a plurality of panels 12 suspended from a trackway 14 (see FIG. 2) by roller type carrier units 16 and hinged at alternate side edges as at 18 (see FIG. 4) to swing between the wall forming positions shown in FIG. 1 and the wall folded position suggested by diagrammatic FIG. 4. Associated with the panel 12 is a pass door 24 of a construction similar to the panels 12 and hinged as at 18A to a suitable pass door post (not shown) that is affixed in any suitable manner to the wall 28. The trackway 14 extends between the wall 28 and the opposing wall 29.

Each panel 12 and the pass door 24 may be constructed in a manner that is basically similar to that described in the said Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185, and thus each panel comprises a frame 30'formed of a top member 32, spaced side members 34 and 36 and a bottom member 38, with the top, bottom and side members being formed from extruded lengths of aluminum or the like. The side members 34 and 36 may have the transverse cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to that shown in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,45,0,l85, while the top and bottom members 30 and 38 should have transverse cross-sectional configurations modified in the manner indicated in the drawings of the present application.

As indicated in the drawings of the present application, members 32 and 38 are of identical but inverted transverse cross-sectional configuration (and are thus reversible), and each is in the form of a channel shaped element 40 defined by a central web portion 42 and spaced vertically disposed side flange portions 44 and 46. The flange portion 44 defines a protuberant projecting edge portion 48 while the flange portion 46 defines a protuberant edge portion 50. Protuberant edge portion 48 defines a mounting slot 52 while edge portion 50 defines a mounting slot 54.

Operably associated with the members 32 and 38, in accordance with this invention, are the respective upper and lower floating seal strips 60 and 62 which are identical in nature. Strips 60 and 62 each comprise a strip 64 that is proportioned to extend the length of the respective members 32 and 38 and defines a sealing wall portion 66 formed with longitudinally extending edge portions 68 and 70 that are protuberant in nature and formed to interfit with the slots 52 and 54 of the respective members 32 and 38 in the manner indicated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 8.

The outwardly facing surfaces 72 of the sealing wall portion 66 is adapted to engage the surface to be sealed, while the strip 64 has extending from the other side surface 74 thereof a pair of sealing flaps or strip portions 76 and 78 that slidably engage the inside surfaces 80 and 82 of the channel member respective- The top seal strips are appropriately formed to accommodate the connection of roller type carrier units 16 to the respective panels, and the panels 12 are mounted in operating position in the manner described in the said Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185.-

Pass door 24 is of the same basic construction as panels 12 and is provided with an upper seal 60 and a lower seal 62 in a manner identical to that described in connection with panels 12.

The jamb panel 12A next to pass door 24 is equipped with the stabilizer assembly 81 diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 which comprise a shoe 80 mounted between the flange portions 44 and 46 of the pass door lower frame member 38 and over wall structure 72 of the strip 64 forming seal 62 of the pass door, the guiding strips or flaps 76 and 78 being cut away longitudinally of the seal 62 where the shoe 80 is to be located to accommodate the indicated positioning and functioning of shoe 80. Shoe 80 is moved from the upper inoperative position that is shown in FIG. 12 to the lowered operative position of FIG. 11, wherein the shoe is clamped against the floor surface to stabilize the jamb panel (with the jam panel seal interposed therebetween), and consequently the partition 10 (when the latter is in its wall forming position), by operating mechanism 82 that is operated by a piston grip type handle 84. The handle 84 is stored in a retracted position against side frame member 36A of the jamb panel, and is pulled to the operative position of FIG. 12 for moving the actuating mechanism 82 between the two positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for raising and lowering the shoe 80 as desired.

FIG. 3 shows the panels 12 supported by a flush mounted trackway 14A, while FIG. 8 illustrates the invention applied to a side stack operable partition arrangement 10A comprising panels 12A arranged in the manner similar to panels 12 and supported by roller type carrier units 16A from a trackway 148 that is of the conventional side track type. Trackway 14B is shown in suspended mounted form, but obviously the invention is fully applicable to flush mounted forms of side stack comparable panel arrangements.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, which illustrate the lower seal 62 of a panel 12 as applied in operating relation with a tiled surface and a carpeted surface 92 that are in abutting relation, as at 94, along the plane that partition 10 is to occupy when in its wall forming position. As indicated in FIGS. 5 7, the seal 62 will automatically adjust outwardly or inwardly of the lower frame member 38 by the flexing of the sealing wall structure 72, and under the guiding action of the guiding flaps or strips 76 or 78 as they move inwardly or outwardly of the member 38 in sliding relation with the flange portions 44 and 46 of same.

In this connection, it is to be noted that the lower seal 62 accommodates not only variations in spacing of the floor surface relative to the lower end of the panels 12,

but also spacing variations that will be inherent in the firm surface provided by tile floor surface 12 and the soft surface that is provided by the carpeted surface 92.

The upper seals 60 function in a similar manner except, of course, they gauge the undersurfaces of the trackways of the various types that are indicated in the drawings.

The seals 60 and 62 are in continuous contact with the surfaces they are intended to seal (through, of course, the ends of the seal strips 60 will be disposed out of contact with the trackway undersurfaces when the panels 12 are in their folded positions). Movement of the panels 12 between their folded and unfolded positions is readily achieved since seals 60 and 62 have only a free sliding action on the surfaces they'engage, and thereby avoid dragging and distortion that is commonly experienced with sweep type seals on moving of the partition structure that they are associated with. This free sliding action is assured because of the comparative smoothness of seal strip under surface 72 and the avoidance of twisting and binding of the sea] as the panels are moved.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION As already indicated, the frames 30 of the panels 12 and the pass door 24 may follow the general arrangement disclosed in said Holloway US. Pat. No. 3,450,185 except for the modifications herein indicated. With regard to the individual panels 12, their frames 30 are secured to the carrier 16 that supports same through an elongate load transmission member 100 of the general type described in said Holloway US. Pat. No. 3,450,185, which comprise tubular elements 102 formed from mild steel or the like and having their ends 104 and 106 (see FIG. 1) secured to the respective frame top members 30, under their web portions 42, by suitable bolt assemblies that are indicated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 108, in a manner similar to that described in said US. Pat. No. 3,450,185, ex-

cept that the bolts 109 of same are applied to tapped holes formed in the respective frame members 30.

Fixed to each load transmission member 100 and extending upwardly therethrough is a tubular suspension member 110 that extends through the web portions 42 of the respective top frame members 32 and through an appropriate hole (not shown) formed in top seal 60, and has its upper end 112 tapped to receive the threaded end 114 of bolt 116 that is carried by the frame 118 of the respective carrier devices 16, which frame also journals the carrier rollers 120.

The trackway 14 is entirely conventional in nature, and forms no part of the present invention, other than defining the undersurfaces 122 and 124 that are engaged by the top seals 60 of the individual panels 12 and the pass door 24. Similar remarks apply to the trackways shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, trackway 14A providing undersurfaces 122A and 124A, while trackway 14B providing a central trackway undersurface 126 and side trackway undersurfaces 122B and 1248. Trackway 14 is of generally rectilinear configuration, as indicated in FIG. 4, with the carrier unit 16 of each panel being located at the longitudinal center of the individual panels in providing the center stack operable partition arrangement of FIG. 4. With regard to the trackway 148, as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9 this is a multiple trackway type structural arrangement having the general layout indicated in diagrammatic FIG. 9 to provide the operable partition side stack arrangement of that figure. For this purpose, each panel 12A is supported by a pair of roller type carrier units 16 located adjacent either edge of the respective panels involved, rather than the individual panels 12A being hinged together. For this purpose, the suspension tubes 110A for the particular carrier units 16 of the panels 12A are positioned to either side of the load transmission member and suitably affixed thereto, as by employing welding or the like. Of course, suspension tubes A pass through appropriate holes formed in top seal 60 and frame member 32 of the panels 12A. As indicated at the right hand side of FIG. 9, the carrier units 10 of panels 12A are substantially diagonally disposed, relative to the side edges of the respective panels 12A, to

accommodate the maneuvering required by the tracking components of trackway 14B.

The upper and lower frame members 32 and 38 are conveniently extruded from aluminum to the shape indicated for defining the respective channel members 40. The protuberant edge portions 48 and 50 of the re spective members 40 define the respective aforementioned slots 52 and 54, with the slots 52 and 54 (see FIG. 2A) each including a pair of spaced apart ledges 130 and 132 respectively opposed by ledges 134 and 136 which define a slotway 138 in which the respective seal protuberant edge portions 68 and 70 are mounted.

Frame members 32 and 38 also each are formed with I an appendage or extension structure 140 extending laterally of the respective flange portions 44 and 46 and defining the respective recesses 142 for receiving the panel covers 144, in accordance with the disclosure of said US. Pat. No. 3,450,185.

Thus, the side frame members 34 and 36 define cover receiving recesses, and where height conditions warrant, frame members 34 and 36 of each panel are joined together by suitable rods 145' secured in place by bolts 147. Similar remarks apply to the pass door.

The seal strip 64 is preferably a molded or extruded vinyl product, or its equivalent, and is preferably of one piece construction having the configuration indicated.

The protuberant edge portions 68 and 71) of strip 64 are each slotted on either side of same, as at and 152 (see FIG. 10) to receive the respective ledges 130 and 134 whereby the protuberant edge portions 68 and 70 of the seal strip 64 are placed in interfitting relation with the protuberant edge portions of the upper and lower frame members 32 and 38. lln the form shown, the seal strip 64 in effect comprises a pair of open strip loops and 162 integrally united as at 164, with the sealing wall 72 being defined by the respective wall segments 165 and 166, and wall segments 168 and 170 defining the respective guide strips or flaps 76 and 78. As indicated in the drawings, the guide strips or flaps 76 and 78 diverge from their point of juncture with the sealing wall 72 in the general direction of the respective inner surfaces 80 and 82 of the respective frame members 32 and 38 for sliding engagement therewith. Surfaces 80 and 82 define a vertically extending way 172 in which the guideflaps or strips 76 and 78 travel in effecting the automatic adjustment illustrated in FIGS. 5 7. It is to be noted that the seal strip 64 in accommodating itself to variations in surfaces to be contacted folds along its mid portion and tends to define a two lobe sealing structure providing first and second areas of sealing contact indicated at 176 and 178. The seal strip 64 is sufficiently flexible so that it may cock to one side or the other of the showings of FIGS. 7 to accommodate differences in elevation in adjacent floor surfaces that are simultaneously contacted at contact areas 176 and 178, and sufficiently resilient to restore itself to the basic configuration of FIG. 10 when relieved of compressive stresses.

The wall segments 165, 166, 168 and 170 also all serve as sound seals. A four wall sound seal is thus provided through strip 64 even though the strip 64 has only a two position contact with the floor or ceiling surface it engages.

Pass door 12A is equipped with the usual standard architectural hardware (not shown) including suitable releasable latches, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 13, as previously indicated the upper and lower frame members and the seals 60 and 62 for the jamb panel 12A are substantially the same as those for panels 12 and 12A, except that in the case of the lower seal 62, the guide flaps or strips 76 and 78 are removed along the length of the seal 62 of the jamb panel that is to receive the shoe 76, as at 179.

The shoe 80 comprises, in the specific form shown, a tubular member 180 of generally quadrilateral crosssectional configuration defining a pair of lower protuberant marginal edge portions 182 and 184 that are positioned to engage the respective wall segments 165 and 162 of the seal strip 64, when the shoe 80 is moved to its lower stabilizing position that is shown in FIG. 11, for pressing that portion 185 of the seal strip 64 that is under same against the floor surface.

Member 80, in the form shown, also defines upwardly extending edge portions 186 and 188 that restrict upward movement of the shoe 80 within the jamb panel frame member 38. Member 180 is slotted as at 190 and 192 to receive the respective non-metallic stripping elements 194 and 196 that serve to guide the vertical movement of the shoe 80 within frame member 38 of the jamb panel.

The friction shoe actuation mechanism 82 comprises an over center type crank lever structure 200 composed of pairs of levers 202 and 204 suitably pivoted together by 208, with the levers 202 being pivotally mounted by pin 210 on a suitable mounting structure 212 that is in turn suitably affixed to the jamb panel side frame 36A, as by employing appropriate screws 214. Handle 84 includes a lug structure 216 carrying a suitable pin structure 218 that rides in opposed slots 220 formed in the respective lever arms 204 to serve as a lost motion connection between the levers 204 and the handle 184 in operating the device. Levers 202 are pivotally connected by pin 222 to the upper end 224 of rod 226 which has its lower end 228 of reduced thickness and passing through the upper wall 230 of the shoe 80 and through mounting plate 232 to receive screw 234 having a head 236 of sufficient diameter that will not pass through the bracket 232. Compression spring 238 is applied between the shoe wall 230 and shoulder 240 of the rod 226.

The lower wall 242 of shoe 80 is appropriately perforated (not shown) to permit application of screw 234 to the rod end 228.

As indicated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the jamb panel frame member 36A is slotted as at 249 to permit handle 84 to extend therethrough, and is slotted as at 250 to permit the handle 84 to be swung between its positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, about the fulcrum defined by the lower end 251 of slot 249, in operating shoe 80.

In the inoperative position of the handle 84 when shoe 80 is depressed (FIG. 12), it is lodged substantially within the slot 250 to permit closure of the pass door. Handle 84 is thus completely concealed when the pass door is closed. Stop pin 260 limits possible downward movement of the shoe 80.

The inoperative position of handle 84 for panel stacking purposes is shown in FIG. 13, and assuming partition 10 is in its wall forming position, and shoe 80 is to be made operative, handle 84 is moved to draw it outwardly of panel 12A and move levers 202 and 204 to the positions of FIG. 11; shoe is set by moving handle 84 to bring pin 218 across a dead center line extending between pin 208 and the fulcrum point of handle 84 in slot 249 (slot end 251) to effect holding of the shoe in its depressed relation of FIG. 11. Upward swinging of handle 84 from the position of FIG. 11 returns pin 218 back across this dead center line and returns shoe 80 to the retracted position of FIG. 12. H andle 84 is then moved inwardly of frame member 36 until its lug 253 is inside slot end 251 and then released (lug 253 serving as a stop precluding outward dislodgement of handle 84). The setting of the shoe 80 against the floor permits the pass door to be moved to its closed position for full concealment of handle 84. Release of shoe 80 is effected by opening the pass door to expose handle 84, and then manipulating handle 84 in the manner indicated. In the position of FIG. 13, handle lug 253 restrains movement of handle 84 outwardly of frame member 36 until the operator lifts handle 84 for outward movement free of the lower end 251 of slot 249.

It will therefore be seen that this invention provides a constant contact type sound sealing arrangement for both the upper and lower ends of the panels involved in the operable panel structure that is automatically adjustable to accommodate surface variations without substantially breaking the seal contact therewith, while permitting ready removal of the individual panels due to lack of excessive drag or twisting of the seal and the panel is moved between open and closed positions in accordance with the respective paths of movement required by the two basic arrangements shown in FIGS. 4 and 9.

The seal arrangement of this invention also eliminates mechanical seals and accessories associated therewith.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A seal arrangement for use with panels of operable panel type partitions in which the panels thereof each have a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position and that is formed with an outwardly facing recess extending longitudinally thereof that faces vertically in said position of the panel, said seal arrangement comprising:

an elongate seal strip defining a sealing wall structure that is generally arced in transverse cross-sectional configuration and defines protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same,

with said seal edge portions and the portions of said frame member on either side of its recess being formed with interengaging means for mounting said strip on the member to extend longitudinally of and are over said recess,

said strip including a pair of guide strip portions extending longitudinally thereof and engaging either side of said recess and projecting into same from along the midportion of said seal strip,

whereby said strip sealing wall structure is disposed in overlying relation to the frame member recess for engagement of said wall structure with a surface to be sealingly engaged while permitting adjustment of said wall structure in the plane of the panel to accommodate variations in the surface to be sealingly engaged.

2. A seal arrangement for panels of operable panel type partitions in which the panels have a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position, said seal arrangement comprising:

an elongate seal strip defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same,

said frame member being in the form of a generally channel shaped member defining a pair of upright spaced apart flange portions extending longitudinally of said frame member,

with said flange portions each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally of said member, said seal strip having its respective edge portions secured in the respective flange portion recesses,

said seal strip being proportioned to are over the space between said flange portions when said edge portions thereof are secured in the respective flange portion recesses,

said seal strip including a pair of guide strip portions extending longitudinally thereof and slidably engaging the respective frame member flange portions,

whereby said strip intermediate its said edge portions is adjustable in the plane of the panel in guided relation to said channel shaped member.

3. A seal arrangement for a panel of operable panel type partitions in which the panel has a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position, said seal arrangement comprising:

an elongate seal strip formed from a flexible material and defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same,

said frame member being in the form of a generally channel shaped member defining a pair of upright spaced apart flange portions extending longitudinally of said frame member,

with said flange portions each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally of said member,

said seal strip having its respective edge portions received in interfitting relation in and with the respective flange portion recesses for securing said strip to said member,

said seal strip being proportioned to arc over the space between said flange portions when said edge portions thereof are secured in the respective flange portion recesses whereby said strip defines a flexing portion extending longitudinally thereof and intermediate its said edge portions,

said seal strip including a pair of guide flaps extending longitudinally thereof and along said flexible portion thereof,

said flaps respectively slidably engaging the respective frame member flange portions adjacent same,

whereby said strip intermediate its said edge portions is adjustable in the plane of the panel in guided re lation to said channel shaped member.

d. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said guide flaps diverge from substantial abutting relation along said strip flexing portion into resilient engagement with the respective frame member flange portions along the respective side surfaces of said flaps that face the respective frame member flange portions.

5. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said strip edge portions and said frame member recesses are formed within interfitting slots and ridges extending in parallel planes that are substantially at right angles with respect to the plane of panel.

6. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 in combination with the panel,

said frame member being the bottom frame member of said panel,

said panel including a like frame member equipped with a like seal strip and forming the top frame member of the panel.

7. In an operable panel type partition of the type in cluding a panel having opposed faces and adapted to be supported by roller means from an overhead track, the improvement wherein said panel comprises:

frame top and bottom members, and spaced side frame members secured between the respective ends of said top and bottom frame members, said top and bottom members being of generally channel shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, with said top and bottom frame members each defining in transverse section a web portion having spaced flange portions projecting laterally thereof from the longitudinally extending edges of said web portion, and outwardly of said frame in the plane thereof,

said top and bottom members each having a seal strip applied to same and spanning the space between said flange portions thereof,

said seal strip each comprising:

an elongate seal strip formed from resiliently flexible material and defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same,

with said flange portions of said top and bottom members each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally thereof, said seal strips each having their respective edge por tions secured in the respective flange portion recesses of the respective top and bottom members,

said seal strips being proportioned to are over the space between said flange portions of the respective top and bottom members when said edge portions thereof are respectively secured in the respec tive flange portion recesses,

and bottom members to which they are respectively secured,

said flange portion of said top and bottom members respectively defining a way in which said flaps of the respective seal strip travel for automatic adjustment of said seal strips relative said panel when said seal strips are respectively in sealing engagement with ceiling and floor surfaces to be sealed.

1' i i I! i 

1. A seal arrangement for use with panels of operable panel type partitions in which the panels thereof each have a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position and that is formed with an outwardly facing recess extending longitudinally thereof that faces vertically in said position of the panel, said seal arrangement comprising: an elongate seal strip defining a sealing wall structure that is generally arced in transverse cross-sectional configuration and defines protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same, with said seal edge portions and the portions of said frame member on either side of its recess being formed with interengaging means for mounting said strip on the member to extend longitudinally of and arc over said recess, said strip including a pair of guide strip portions extending longitudinally thereof and engaging either side of said recess and projecting into same from along the midportion of said seal strip, whereby said strip sealing wall structure is disposed in overlying relation to the frame member recess for engagement of said wall structure with a surface to be sealingly engaged while permitting adjustment of said wall structure in the plane of the panel to accommodate variations in the surface to be sealingly engaged.
 2. A seal arrangement for panels of operable panel type partitions in which the panels have a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position, said seal arrangement comprising: an elongate seal strip defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same, said frame member being in the form of a generally channel shaped member defining a pair of upright spaced apart flange portions extending longitudinally of said frame member, with said flange portions each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally of said member, said seal strip having its respective edge portions secured in the respective flange portion recesses, said seal strip being proportioned to arc over the space between said flange portions when said edge portions thereof are secured in the respective flange portion recesses, said seal strip including a pair of guide strip portions extending longitudinally thereof and slidably engaging the respective frame member flange portions, whereby said strip intermediate its said edge portions is adjustable in the plane of the panel in guided relation to said channel shaped member.
 3. A seal arrangement for a panel of operable panel type partitions in which the panel has a frame member that extends horizontally when the panel is in its upright operative position, said seal arrangement comprising: an elongate seal strip formed from a flexible material and defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same, said frame member being in the form of a generally channel shaped member defining a pair of upright spaced apart flange portions extending longitudinally of said frame member, with said flange portions each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally of said member, said seal strip having its respective edge portions received in interfitting relation in and with the respective flange portion recesses for securing said strip to said member, said seal strip being proportioned to arc over the space between said flange portions when said edge portions thereof are secured in the respective flange portion recesses whereby said strip defines a flexing portion extending longitudinally thereof and intermediate its said edge portions, said seal strip including a pair of guide flaps extending longitudinally thereof and along said flexible portion thereof, said flaps respectively slidably engaging the respective frame member flange portions adjacent same, whereby said strip intermediate its said edge portions is adjustable in the plane of the panel in guided relation to said channel shaped member.
 4. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 wherein: said guide flaps diverge from substantial abutting relation along said strip flexing portion into resilient engagement with the respective frame member flange portions along the respective side surfaces of said flaps that face the respective frame member flange portions.
 5. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 wherein: said strip edge portions and said frame member recesses are formed within interfitting slots and ridges extending in parallel planes that are substantially at right angles with respect to the plane of panel.
 6. The seal arrangement set forth in claim 3 in combination with the panel, said frame member being the bottom frame member of said panel, said panel including a like frame member equipped with a like seal strip and forming the top frame member of the panel.
 7. In an operable panel type partition of the type including a panel having opposed faces and adapted to be supported by roller means from an overhead track, the improvement wherein said panel comprises: frame top and bottom members, and spaced side frame members secured between the respective ends of said top and bottom frame members, said top and bottom members being of generally channel shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, with said top and bottom frame members each defining in transverse section a web portion having spaced flange portions projecting laterally thereof from the longitudinally extending edges of said web portion, and outwardly of said frame in the plane thereof, said top and bottom members each having a seal strip applied to same and spanning the space between said flange portions thereof, said seal strip each comprising: an elongate seal strip formed from resiliently flexible material and defining protuberant edge portions extending along opposed longitudinally extending side edges of same, with said flange portions of said top and bottom members each defining a projecting edge portion formed with a recess extending longitudinally thereof, said seal strips each having their respective edge portions secured in the respective flange portion recesses of the respective top and bottom members, said seal strips being proportioned to arc over the space between said flange portions of the respective top and bottom members when said edge portions thereof are respectively secured in the respective flange portion recesses, said seal strips each including a pair of guide flaps extending longitudinally thereof and slidably engaging the respective frame member flange portions, between which they are mounted, whereby said strips intermediate their said edge portions are adjustable in the plane of the panel in guided relation with respect to the respective top and bottom members.
 8. The improvement set forth in claim 7 wherein: said seal strips are outwardly of the respective top and bottom members to which they are respectively secured, said flange portion of said top and bottom members respectively defining a way in which said flaps of the respective seal strip travel for automatic adjustment of said seal strips relative said panel when said seal strips are respectively in sealing engagement with ceiling and floor surfaces to be sealed. 